Knox County Airport Wants to Fill Wetlands

OWLS HEAD – The Knox County Regional Airport is seeking a federal permit to fill 7.6 acres of wetlands as part of an expansion project.

The airport, which is owned and operated by Knox County, plans to build a parallel taxiway to serve its 13-31 runway, and an extension to its 31 runway and three runway safety areas.

The project has been in the works since late 2005.

According to a news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the county will fill 7 acres of freshwater wetlands for the taxiway and 0.6 acres for the runway safety areas.

The wetlands are adjacent to the Weskeag River.

To compensate for the wetland filling, the county’s application proposes preserving about 75 acres of mixed upland and wetlands on two parcels adjacent to Weskeag Marsh and the Ralph Waldo Tyler Wildlife Management Area, both in Thomaston.

The Army corps is seeking comment from the public and appropriate agencies on the proposed mitigation measures. It also is soliciting alternative sites or measures not yet identified by the county.

Public comments can be sent by July 19 to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Maine Project Office, 675 Western Ave. No. 3, Manchester 04351.

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